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Chelsea boss Conte fears Morata season over

Chelsea's next opponents are West Brom and the club is on a brink of yet another crisis, with the disastrous prospect of missing out on the Champions League twice in three years looming large on the horizon.

After back-to-back defeats against AFC Bournemouth and Watford, during which we conceded a combined seven goals, Antonio Conte's men will no doubt be looking to use this fixture as an opportunity to bounce back and send a message to their rivals.

"In my opinion, you continue to work with a manager or coach not because of what he achieves in one season, but because you trust in him", Conteexplained. "Christensen didn't train with us today but honestly, I hope to count on him against West Brom because he's an important player for us". It could be that the former Gunner comes in to replace his fellow countryman, given defensive protection is unlikely to be a priority against a West Brom side that's been devoid of any attacking threat for the majority of the season.

Chelsea have won just one of their five league games since the turn of the year and were also defeated in the Carabao Cup semi-finals by Arsenal. Conte has been able to win only two out of the last 10 games and the club's title defence has been bad. While the club insists that it's business as usual and that they have not approached anyone to take up the reins should they axe the Italian, work to identify an interim appointment is well advanced.

"I don't know how long he will be out and for this reason I'm a bit anxious".

"To arrive in this league and adapt yourself very quickly is not simple but my task is to try to help him and every single player improve".

"We have the right mentality because we are working well". My commitment and the commitment of my players is totally for this club and we're trying to do our best.

Asked if he had figured out what has gone wrong recently during this week's down time, Conte said: "I think we can talk about two different games, the same bad result but two different games". Against Watford the performance was negative from the start and we didn't create chances.

"Then, sometimes it can happen, like it did for us last season".

"Not because I adapted my ideas in the way I think about football".

"Because, for sure, if they want to try and win, the most important thing is to have good players".